Having elected to watch the Sunday's
re-airing of the Japanese Grand Prix, I was on a self imposed virtual News
"Blackout," and hence, sat in shock at the horrific crash at races
end that Jules Bianchi endured under atrocious conditions caused by Typhoon
Phanfone that the FIA and race promoter Honda were unwilling to work around
schedule-wise!
Even though these days I cannot see the Telescreen clearly, I
knew it was a BAD accident just from the lack of pictures, sounds and comments coming from the broadcast, with only
NBCSN's Steve Matchett asking "Is that a stretcher I see?" Before he
seemingly was cut off quickly...
And when nobody could ascertain where the
Marussia chassis was! Although as soon as they said the word crane, I almost
began crying, because that is a NO win situation pitting Formula 1 racecar vs.
stationary mobile crane; *FUCK@@!*
As Adam
Cooper's story (above) denotes that indeed Monsieur Bianchi's Marussia went underneath the crane
and the roll hoop suffered damage leading to Bianchi being extricated unconscious
and since having had emergency head surgery!
Hopefully the lack of the mandatory medical
helicopter which wasn't able to take Jules from the scene, presumably due to
the deteriorating weather conditions, will not pay any part in his overall condition or recovery! A la Michael Schumacher reportedly
being taken to the wrong hospital initially - as below is more details of the
crash along with many photographs...
As ironically it was Leigh Diffey reminding
us of Martin 'BillyBob Brundle's bizarre accident 20yrs ago at Suzuka where he
collided with an errant safety vehicle - for which I seem to recall one of the corner workers
ended up with a broken leg!
As Bianchi's condition immediately makes me think
of Felipe Massa's accident when Rubens Barrichello's Honda's rear spring struck
him in the head! As ironically both drivers share the same manager and
obviously I'm hoping for the same positive outcome!
While naturally, A-L-L of the drivers are
united in their concern over Bianchi's health, as I found it somewhat callus 'N
surreal that the organizers played the victory celebration champagne spray theme music during an
obviously somber time...
Then, whilst still in appall over the day's
outcome, as a chill was still running down my spine in regards to Bianchi's
life threatening condition, when searching the various F1 websites for updates I
came upon the news that ex-Formula 1 driver Andrea De Cesaris had died in Rome
due to a motorcycle accident.
AND ALTHOUGH I cannot ever say I've had
anything flattering to say about the Italian driver, as we always called him
"DE CRASHERIS!" Nonetheless my favourite memory of him is when 'Ol
EJ' (Eddie Jordan) couldn't find him for relief duty at Jordan 'cause he'd given up on F1 in
order to go play golf instead!
And lastly, as my original title was to be
Strange Days Indeed! There are two further ironies or whatever Y'all wish to
call 'em items related to the Bianchi incident. As firstly, he drives for
Marussia, who in NO way will be celebrating racing on "Home Soil"
this coming weekend.
Secondly, in a post I've been scurrying to
"put-to-bed" for the forthcoming Russian Grand Prix, in regards to one
of its rising stars who drives for Emilio de Villota Motorsport, the
one year anniversary of Emilio's
daughter Maria de Villota's death from injuries
sustained whilst testing for Marussia occurs Tuesday, October 14th...
As obviously Vettel's
move to Ferrari, the outcome of the race, who leads the points standings and
where Alonso goes seem overly meaningless!
